Rain couldn't spoil Carnival



In writing about my working life in the 1950s at Norman Burtons department shop in Petersfield’s
High Street, Barbara Earl (nee Paice) sent me this photograph of the carnival June 1953. This
must have been part of the town’s Coronation celebrations. Instead of the normal floats on the
streets, someone had the bright idea of having the decorated floats on the Heath pond, and float
they did not!

Our memories are of a wet June Thursday evening – yes it was raining, making the
crowds small - and the memories of being pushed onto the water only to slowly tilt over. No one
can remember if any prizes were awarded.

The island in the middle was bigger than now and rescues took place with all the people involved
having their floats pushed to the island before being brought back to dry land by the little boats. Is
there anyone reading this who remembers more of the watery evening?

Thanks to Sylvia Hawkes, Petersfield resident.
A £20 voucher is on its way to you

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